Celebrities Give 2015 Kentucky Derby Picks

Part of the Kentucky Derby fun is seeing the celebrities and hearing who they like for the race. Like anyone else, some celebrities are experienced handicappers and know their way around a racetrack. Others are experiencing horse racing for the first time. Here are some of the celebrities that walked the red carpet at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2 and revealed their 2015 Kentucky Derby Picks and selections.

Emily West is one of the popular country music artists out there. She said, “I’m voting for War Story because I like the name and no one else is picking that.”

Katie George, or Miss Kentucky, was on hand. She revealed, “Mr. Z and American Pharoah, I think are the two I’m going to go with. I’m going to bet both, because I think that will just raise my chances.”

Miss Teen Kentucky Caroline Ford attended for the first time. She had no pick and said, “I can’t decide. There’s so many incredible horses, and this is my first time, so I’m just trying to take it all in.”

Eric Woods of the Buffalo Bills is “not sure yet” what his bet is, but admitted, “I do like Dortmund.”

Fellow NFL athlete Nick Mangold of the New York Jets likes Dortmund too and said, “I’m keying on Dortmund and the wife likes Carpe Diem. We’re going to be in action on at least two horses.”

Arizona Cardinals’ Frostee Rucker broke off from the Dortmund trend. Perhaps because of his own name, he picks Frosted.

Hall of Fame NFL quarterback Warren Moon chose Itsaknockout.

NASCAR driver Brian Vickers chose one of the most famous horse of all time, in addition to a current one. He said, “I’m learning about the horses. I love the name Carpe Diem. Yesterday, before I learned all the horses, I picked Seabiscuit, but they said he’s retired.

Basketball coach Avery Johnson advocated the two Pletcher stars and said, “Carpe Diem, Materiality is a close second.”

Breaking Bad actor and former entrepreneur Drew Waters enthusiastically replied with “Ocho Ocho Ocho” when asked about his bet.

Another Breaking Bad actor Dean Norris replied, “I’m going with American Pharoah with Dortmund. Exacta box.”

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear likes Dortmund.

Beautiful model Lindsay Ellingson had two selections and said, “I’m going for number 19, it’s my lucky number Upstart, and also Frosted because I was told to bet on the gray horse.”

Nick Lachey, formerly of 98 Degrees, and his wife Vanessa Minnillo Lachey choose Carpe Diem.

Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta fashion director Monte Durham used a morning drink to figure out his Derby horse. He said, “I’m picking Frosted. I got up this morning and had a great frosted glass of orange juice … that’s an omen.”

Bob Guiney, from The Bachelorette and The Bachelor, hopes for a Giacomo-like result. He said, “Ocho Ocho Ocho. He’s 50/1 odds, but he’s going to win.”

Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter Dannielynn Birkhead went with Frosted.

Josh Groban, a singer-songwriter that regularly makes the Top 10 of the Billboard Top 200, selected Ocho Ocho Ocho.

Surprisingly, not many celebrities chose American Pharoah, while many sided with Ocho Ocho Ocho for the 2015 Kentucky Derby. In addition, Frosted was a popular pick for those searching for a hunch play. Dortmund and Carpe Diem were chosen a lot as well.

Kentucky Derby 2015 Post Positons, Odds, Times